Social media is top use for internet among Filipinos, but does it affect their political views?

WHILE ALMOST all Filipinos who access the internet do so to check on their social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, only a bare majority say their political views changed at least once because of what they have seen online, the latest survey from Pulse Asia Research, Inc. showed.

According to the Pulse September 2018 nationwide survey, 98% of Filipinos across geographic areas and socio-economic groupings use the internet for social media activities.

This was slightly down from 100% in the June 2017 survey.

For these social media users, 51% admitted they have changed their views on politics or government at least once based on what they have seen, read and listened to over the internet.

This was higher compared to the June 2017 survey, where only 39% of social media users said their opinions changed.

Meanwhile, 88% of those who access social media said they have heard, read or watched fake news on their accounts, and 79% agree that it is widespread online.

The nationwide survey was conducted among 1,800 respondents aged 18 years old and above. The survey has a ± 2.3% error margin at the 95% confidence level.

Of the 1,800 interviewed, less than half or only 47% said they are accessing the internet. However, this is higher than the June 2017 result wherein only 37% of respondents said they go online.

The latest survey was conducted from September 1 to 7, following news on the revocation of Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV’s amnesty, and calls for the abolition of the National Food Authority along with the resignation of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol amid the soaring prices of rice, among others. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas